Umm, I think it's someone who's always trying to answer in class, you know the suck-up, you know the person who's read three or four classes ahead... basically the guy/girl you didn't like b/c they felt a constant need to prove how much smarter they are than everyone else. I could be wrong though.

so, basically, it is an insufferable know it all kind of guy.

I've always thought that the key to being a gunner is not only being an insufferable know-it-all, but also being a moron. People who are constantly raising their hands to show off how clever they are, but only reveal that they don't get it, are the true gunners, I think.

The "insanely prepared, blow the curve" definition of gunner only exists at crappy schools, where the bulk of the students are mediocre and haven't grasped the idea that if you are going $100,000 in debt for a graduate degree, it might be worth your while to work hard at it and learn something. I would take 100 "insanely prepared" gunners over one hung-over jerk who sneers because someone actually did the assigned reading.

I thought a gunner was simply a tool. I.E., open definition. It's just someone who people think sucks due to some sort of classroom behavior, whether it's asking stupid questions or asking questions to have their ego stroked. One is a gunner simply if others think they are a gunner, whatever the cause. It's just a label. Just because that cannister over in the corner says "toxic waste" on it, doesn't mean one can define what's in it.